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  Today, on 8 March,  President of the Republic of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus participated in a meeting of ESCO Permanent Council where he delivered a speech. The Lithuanian President noted that the idea of building a ‘Europe whole and free’ and a Europe that is at peace with itself were at the core of the activities of this Organization and encouraged us to fulfill the commitments that we subscribed to. “We have come a long way from the difficult days of Helsinki 1975. The Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe played a crucial role in catalyzing democratic transformations. The Helsinki Groups that emerged in many places heralded the determination to live in a democratic society and hope that this goal was within reach. Foreign troops have been withdrawn from a number of states, including Lithuania. The Lithuanian people will always remember the major contribution of the OSCE to this process,” said President Adamkus. The Lithuanian President noted that meaningful communication and mutual understanding was almost impossible if the world was perceived was consisting of power centers and spheres of influence. “Old stereotypes and prejudices of the past should give way to the feeling of togetherness. For my country, the OSCE means ‘us’, not ‘us and them’. The dichotomy of ‘East of Vienna-West of Vienna’ has no meaning for us,” The Lithuanian Head of State. The President of Lithuania pointed out that while much had been done to unite the OSCE area and to overcome the dividing lines of the past, we should recognize that there remain regions characterized by tensions. “As long as conflicts remain unsettled in the South Caucasus and Moldova and tensions continue in parts of South Eastern Europe, we have work to do. Our joint responsibility here is to build confidence by challenging the disagreements and to ensure the security, territorial integrity and sovereignty of participating States,” said President Adamkus Mr Adamkus noted the idea on which the OSCE was founded was dear to all the people of Lithuania. “After having lived in imposed isolation, Lithuania has rightfully rejoined the family of Europe as a full member of the OSCE, EU and NATO,” said the Lithuanian President underlying that because of this Lithuania wished to contribute more to OSCE activities. According to the President, it was this feeling of commitment that motivated Lithuania to offer its candidacy for Chairmanship of the OSCE in 2010. President Adamkus said hat for its chairmanship, Lithuania offered continuity and active engagement in promoting the implementation of OSCE commitments, encouraging regional cooperation and countering old and new threats to security and stability. “Countering the threat of international terrorism and organized crime, fighting discrimination and promoting tolerance, addressing the pressing issues of energy security, environmental protection and migration, and promoting freedom of movement are and will continue to be a significant part of the agenda of the Organization,” said the Lithuanian President. He noted that our efforts to be successful it was essential to advance the co-operation of all institutions and actors involved. “Our experience says that, while having a robust and far-reaching vision, we should start with patience and first deal with challenges that are common to all. <…> For us, the concept of regional cooperation and good neighborhood policy has been instrumental in resolving many difficult issues. A mutually acceptable agreement with Russia on passenger transit to and from the Kaliningrad region is just one but telling example. Indeed, it is through such practical and pragmatic measures that we can build a united OSCE area for states, societies and individuals,” said Mr. Adamkus. Deputy Chief of the U.S. Mission to the OSCE Kyle Scott responding to the speech of the Lithuanian President noted that the United States supported Lithuania’s intentions to hold OSCE chairmanship. According to him, Lithuania is the best example of how a country can move forward when to it goes on a road of democracy and serves the interests of its citizens. Permanent representative of GUAM member states to OSCE Volodimir Yelchenko welcomed the strategic vision of OSCE as an organization capable of responding to existing and new security challenges as expressed in the speech of the Lithuanian President. At the meeting of the Permanent Council, Lithuania’s aspirations to hold OSCE chairmanship in 2010 were supported by members of the EU, the USA, GUAM (Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Moldova), Norway, Island, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Albania, Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Compilation of the Presiden's speech is also submitted at the "OSCE Magazine April 2007".